Performance Sport Lead

Derby; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Derby is seeking a dynamic leader to head its Performance Sport Programme. You will drive the strategic development, oversee staff and coaching resources, and collaborate with professional bodies to raise BUCS performance and the University’s profile.

You will design and implement performance plans, manage athlete development and welfare, and ensure governance compliance across sport programmes. A degree and substantial HE sport leadership experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience leading high‑performance or elite sport programmes within a complex organisation.
• Proven ability to design, implement and evaluate performance plans delivering measurable improvements.
• Strong understanding of BUCS frameworks and national sport governance.

Responsibilities

• Represent the University with professional sports clubs, National Governing Bodies and strategic partners to drive recruitment and growth.
• Oversee the operations of the Performance Sport function, including staffing, contractors and targets.
• Develop and coordinate annual performance plans, KPI tracking and programme evaluation.
• Coordinate recruitment of student workforce, volunteers and internships with succession planning.
• Cultivate partnerships across Colleges and Professional Services to enhance athletic performance and engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

BUCS knowledge

Negotiation

Networking

Education

Degree qualification in relevant subject area

Job description

£32,942 to £36,977 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £42,523.55 per annum)

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

Our Campus Life and Student Living department is responsible for essential services that significantly impact the student experience.?

Campus Life is all about the various services that enhance the overall student experience, including sports, recreational facilities and community engagement.?

Whereas our Student Living teams ensure the safety, comfort and compliance of the University’s residential estates.

Whichever team you become a part of; student experience is our focus!

Lead the strategic development and delivery of the University’s Performance Sport Programme, driving student-athlete success, enhancing BUCS performance, and raising the institution’s profile within the higher education and sporting sectors. Working with professional sports clubs, National Governing Bodies, and key partners, you will champion the University’s performance sport offer, attract talented student athletes, and create opportunities for growth and investment.

You will oversee all aspects of the performance sport function, including coaching staff, student internships and volunteer programmes, performance planning, and programme evaluation. Accountable for BUCS results and league table performance, you will implement innovative strategies that enhance athlete development, support club success, and deliver measurable outcomes.

The role also provides leadership in student-athlete welfare, governance, risk management, and UK Anti-Doping compliance, while building effective partnerships across the University and representing the institution at sector events, conferences, and recruitment activities to showcase excellence in sport.

Anticipated interview date - 15th December

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with a degree in a relevant discipline and significant experience leading high-performance or elite sport programmes within a complex organisation, ideally within the UK Higher Education sector or a comparable environment.

You will have a proven track record of developing, implementing, and evaluating strategic performance plans that deliver measurable improvements in sporting success, athlete development, and student-athlete recruitment. With a strong understanding of performance sport environments, you will be able to demonstrate success in driving competitive outcomes, enhancing programme performance, and supporting athletes to achieve their full potential.

This position requires flexibility, excellent planning and organisation skills, excellent inter-personal skills and a passion for performance sport.

• Represent the University and advocate for the performance programme with professional sports clubs, National Governing Bodies and strategic sport partners to grow awareness, lobby for investment and seek opportunities.
• Develop and collaborate with internal and external partners at a senior level to promote the benefits and successes of the performance programme to drive recruitment of student athletes and sports scholars.
• Oversee the operations of the University’s Performance Sport function, including the recruitment, management of contractor sport coaches, incorporating annual target setting and overseeing delivery against those targets.
• Manage the recruitment of the applied student workforce volunteers and Internships, design and oversee the workforce plan against agreed targets and ensure appropriate interventions where required and annual evaluation.
• Co-ordinate the development, delivery, and rigorous evaluation of the Performance Sport Programme, against agreed KPI’s to measurably improve BUCS performance.
• Have accountability for the institution’s league table position and performance in BUCS.
• Identify and co-ordinate the development of comprehensive growth plans focused on enhancing athletic performance across all sports, supporting both individual athlete development and club-level success.
• Co-ordinate the relationship with Colleges and Professional Services across the University, focusing on collaborative opportunities that align with institutional success measures, and developing an effective applied workforce opportunities through internships and practitioners.
• Represent the department and help showcase our Performance and Participation activities by attending events including open days, welcome weeks, staff induction events, moving-In weekend.
• Conduct audits and reviews which regularly review compliance and risk assessments for all performance sport activities, facilities, and travel, implementing necessary mitigation strategies.
• Act as the first point of triage for student-athlete welfare and disciplinary issues, ensuring adherence to the University’s duty of care and policies build and effective working relationship with relevant professional service leads in the institution.
• Act as the UKAD lead contact, holding institutional accountability for adherence to the UKAD regulations, ensuring all athletes and staff are fully compliant with anti-doping regulations and complete mandatory education.
• Represent the University at external sector forums (e.g., BUCS conferences, NGB meetings) to share best practice, advocate for the University and it’s interests, gather intelligence, and enhance the University’s profile.
• Degree qualification in relevant subject area

Experience

• Experience managing high-performance or elite sport programme within a complex organisation, ideally in the UK Higher Education (HE) sector or a similar environment
• Proven success in designing, implementing, and evaluating plans that resulted in measurable improvements in sporting performance (e.g., BUCS position) and athlete recruitment
• Experience in managing the recruitment, induction, and holistic lifestyle support for student-athletes or scholars
• Experience in procuring goods and services and ensuring value for money through sector and industry benchmarking
• Demonstrable success in managing staff, coaches, and practitioners, and in developing and sustaining high-level partnerships with external bodies (e.g., NGBs, professional clubs, commercial partners)
• Practical experience in overseeing and mitigating risk for large-scale sports activities, including the management of UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) compliance and student welfare/safeguarding protocols

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Ability to advocate for the department, the performance programme and the University on a national level
• Ability to build business cases and justification for investment and growth against competing priorities
• Ability to build effective relationships with decision makers and peers
• Knowledge of the structure, competition rules, and regulations of BUCS and its strategic role within UK university sport
• Knowledge of the UK Sport integrity environment, including UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) regulations, current safeguarding legislation, and the management of student welfare/duty of care within a high-performance setting
• Working knowledge of the role and deployment of multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) and the principles of performance lifestyle management to support the dual-career athlete
• Understanding of university committee structures and the process for submitting high-level papers and reports to advocate for resources and policy approval
• Proven ability to motivate teams and influence senior internal and external stakeholders to align resources and support the programme's strategic goals
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and relationship-brokering skills required for building effective partnerships with NGBs, commercial partners, faculty, and student representatives (Union of Students)

Business requirements

• Ability to travel to meetings and events outside of the University in a time and cost-effective manner
• Ability to work well under pressure, to be flexible and adapt to changes in priorities
• Flexible approach to working hours, including evening and weekend working including attending Open Days, Clearing, Welcome weekend and Graduation

Qualifications

• A recognised qualification in athlete personal development or lifestyle support (e.g., TASS Practitioner Certification, UKAD Educator Status)
• Hold a current or past NGB Coaching Qualification or a qualification in a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) discipline (e.g., S&C, Physiotherapy)

Experience

• Experience in leading a programme through external quality assurance or governance audits (e.g., NGB performance reviews or University internal reviews)

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• An understanding of the working practices of university sports and the roles of the Student Union
• A strong existing network of contacts within relevant National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and professional sporting organisations, facilitating immediate talent pathway development
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Jonathan Pace, Head of Sport & Physical Activity via [e-mail]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [e-mail] .

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse community where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex or sexual orientation.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including 'Mx', and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity,diversityand inclusion at the University of Derby, pleasevisitour website .

We are also committed to promoting academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression within the law, in line with our Code of Practice , and value diversity of thought alongside diversity of backgrounds and experiences.

However you identify, we welcome applications from people whose experiences, perspectives and talents will contribute to our inclusive, supportive and intellectually vibrant community.

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.